tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495397553353290645.post8233463627870291700..comments2023-05-16T06:32:28.469-07:00Comments on Speaking of Poems: ReviewDavid Godkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263084959362933039noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495397553353290645.post-44815403602338468802012-02-18T10:18:30.954-08:002012-02-18T10:18:30.954-08:00David,this is a splendid review. Congratulations....David,this is a splendid review. Congratulations. Yours is the best criticism that I have seen of Cole's work - work, that, I feel, walks that very fine line between a conversational voice and banality. When it works, it really works, but when it doesn't -- well, you deal with that.<br /><br />Again, Congratulations. A full length, in-depth look at this mature poet.<br /><br />Cornelia HooglandCornelia Hooglandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188853438149183972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495397553353290645.post-65018049927247667842012-02-17T10:19:14.777-08:002012-02-17T10:19:14.777-08:00True. Brecht had broader social concerns, but brea...True. Brecht had broader social concerns, but breaking the fourth wall was first and foremost a technical solution to a very particular problem associated with bourgeois European theatre, i.e. the tendency for theatre goers to respond cathartically to what's happening on stage rather than to think. Too many people treated plays as a good night out and not as a way to learn about the world and how to change it. How to break through that complacency became a dramaturgical problem, supporting an ideological one. I think Coles is very much aware of a similar complacency among poetry readers.David Godkinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16263084959362933039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495397553353290645.post-62066974983230023262012-02-17T09:45:05.385-08:002012-02-17T09:45:05.385-08:00It's worth remembering that Brecht was breakin...It's worth remembering that Brecht was breaking the fourth wall to break society and institute a new social order in its place. So, not exactly the same thing, as Coles appears to be trying to reinforce conservative society instead. The difference is important, and would make an interesting discussion -- the journey of the bourgeoisie, etc., through a long century, etc. etc.Harold Rhenischhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14239771117696480737noreply@blogger.com